Humidifier



Nov. 30, 1943. 6. w. WEEDEN HUMIDIFIER Filed April- 15, 1941 Bnventor Gis'mye vfm ealenj gm. M 9 gm Gttomegs.

Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE HUM'IDIFIER George W. Weeden, Cranston, R. I. Application April 15, 1941,- Serial No. 388,639 (01. 299-58) 12 Claims.

My present invention relates to novel humidifying apparatus.

The desirability and frequent necessity of controlling the relative humidity in an enclosed space is well recognized with the result that several diiferent types of humidifiers are now available. These are inadequate for many uses because of such factors as insufficient water capacity, noise in operation, and operating and control means that make an attractive, efficient installation impossible and are relatively expensive to service and replace.

One of the most objectionable features where appearance is a factor is the necessity in many types of humidifiers of installing a drain below the device to carry off excess water. Even where appearance does not feature, the mechanical difficulties of installing such a drain often forces the installation of the humidifier in a disadvantageous location.

In accordance with my invention, I employ a pair of branch conduits from the source of water under pressure. One of the branch conduits includes atomizing means and the other includes an ejector, the suction chamber of which is part of a third or suction conduit having itsinlet in a receptacle disposed adjacent the atomizing means to collect unatomized water. Each branch conduit is controlled by an electrically operated valve, the circuit to which includes a float-controlled switch so that the branch lines are connected in the alternative to the water source to deliver water under pressure to the atomizing means or to the ejector to exhaust water from the receptacle depending on Whether or not a .l" uses, because compactness and simplicity are combined with attractiveness inappe'arance and efiiciency and economy in operation and maintenance.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown schematically, an illustrative embodiment of my invention from which its several novel features and advantages will be readily apparent.

I have indicated at I a room or the like .in

which it is desired to control the relative humidity. I have shown pipes 2 and 3 as supported by brackets 4 on the ceiling 5, but these may be concealed if desired.

The pipe 2 carries a receptacle 6 of any water tight material shaped and decorated as desired. The pipe 2 has, adjacent its lower end, an inlet port 1. While any type of atomizing means may be employed, I have shown the pipe 3 as having nozzles 8 disposed to direct water against one or more targets 9 as this type of atomizing means is effective where the available source of water is, as in the case of the usual city mains, of relatively low pressure.

I have indicated at l 0 a water supply pipe having a T H connected to the delivery pipe 3 and to the waste or drain pipe I 2. In the pipe I 2, I

position a conventional ejector l3 to the suction chamber [4 of which the pipe 2 is connected so that, when water flows through the drain pipe l2 from the supply pipe l0, a suction is created eifective to withdraw water in the receptacle 6 through the suction pipe 2. The pipes 3 and I2 are controlled by the valves l5 and I6 respectively. The valves I5 and I6 are adapted to be opened by the solenoids I5 and I6 and to energize them, I provide an electric circuit I1 including a switch [8 having contacts [8 and It for the parallel circuits l'l and ll to the solenoids l5 and l6 respectively.

The switch l8 may be of any standard snap action type to ensure its being always positioned to close the circuit to either one of the solenoids. In accordance with my invention, the switch 18 is controlled by the float l9 having a rod 20 slidably supported as at 2| to the pipe 3. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the upper end 22 of the rod 26 actuates the switch l8 so that as the float rises and falls the switch l8 Will be actuated to control the circuits ll and H to effect the opening of the valves l5 and IS in the alternative to either deliver water to the atomizing means or to the ejector l3.

The circuit l! to the solenoid I5 includes a humidostat 23 so that if the desired relative humidity exists in the room I, the apparatus is inoperative. If the desired conditions do not exist, and assuming thereceptacle 6 to be empty, the float H! has actuated the switch ill to a position wherein the circuit l'l to the solenoid l5 is closed opening the valve IE to deliver water to the atomizing means.

If unatomized water (that is, water-which has not been absorbed by the atmosphere) in excess of a predetermined volume accumulates in the receptacle 6, the float l9 rises and actuates the switch l8 to open the circuit I! and to close the circuit ll to the solenoid I6 to open the valve I 6 to deliver water to the ejector l3 creating a suction in the pipe 2 to withdraw .the water from the receptacle. After excess water has been exhausted from the receptacle 6, the switch I8 is again actuated to again effect the delivery of water to the atomizing means.

Preferably, the ejector I3 is disposed below the receptacle 6 in order that the suction pipe 2 may also serve as a siphon.

As current failure results in the closing of both of the valves l and I5 and as the float controlled valve is effective, as water accumulates in the receptacle 6, to close the Valve l5 as the valve 16 is opened, the control means in accordance with my invention are safe and positive. Their simplicity ensures long, efficient service and permits humidifiers to be attractive in appearance and readily installed.

Although I have shown a single unit installation, I may install them in multiple, controlling them through a single humidostat or several humidostats and using one or several eiectors for evacuating the receptacles.

Other variations which fall within the scope of my invention might be to substitute a threeway valve in place of the two solenoids as shown and described herein. Also, other means of operating my valves, whether twin valves or a single three-way valve, might be to use compressed air or other fluids instead of electric control as described herein. Further modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. I-lurnidifyin apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, a receptacle below said means to collect unabsorbed water, and water operated ejector means to lift water from said receptacle.

2. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, means to deliver water under pressure to said atomizing means, a valve in control of said delivery means, a receptacle so located that water not absorbed by the atmosphere will drip therein, means to exhaust water so collected from said receptacle, electrically operated means to open said valve, and float controlled means to cause the said electrically operated means to close said valve when a predetermined volume of water accumulates in said receptacle.

3. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, a receptacle below said means to collect unabsorbed water, a conduit to deliver water under pressure to said atomizing means, an ejector, a second conduit to deliver fluid under pressure to said ejector, said ejector having a suction chamber, and a suction conduit in communication with said chamber, said suction conduit having an intake extending downwardly into said receptacle.

4. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, a receptacle below said means to collect unabsorbed water, a conduit to deliver water under pressure to said atomizing means, an ejector, a second conduit to deliver fluid under pressure to said ejector, said ejector having a suction chamber, a suction conduit in communication with said chamber, said suction conduit having an intake extending downwardly into said receptacle, a valve in control of said second conduit, a float controlled means to open said valve whenever a predetermined volume of Water has accumulated in said receptacle.

5. The humidifying apparatus of claim 3 in which theejector is located below the level of the receptacle and the suction conduit forms asiphon.

6. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, a receptacle below said means to collect unabsorbed water, a first conduit for water under pressure, a first branch conduit efiecting communication between said first conduit and said atomizing means, an ejector, a second branch conduit efiecting communication between said first conduit and said ejector, said ejector having a suction chamber, a suction pipe in communication with said chamber and said receptacle, a valve in control of each of said branch lines, and means to open said valve in said second branch conduit whenever a predetermined volume of water has accumulated in said receptacle while simultaneously closing the valve in said first branch conduit.

7. The humidifying apparatus of claim 6 in which the suction pipe carries the receptacle.

8. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmospher to be humidified, a receptacle below said means to collect unabsorbed water, a first conduit for water under pressure, a first branch conduit effecting communication between said first conduit and said atomizing means, an ejector, a second branch conduit effecting communication between said flrstconduit and said ejector, said ejector having a suction chamber, a suction pipe in communication with said chamber and said receptacle, a valve in control of each of said branch lines, electrically operated means to open said valves in the alternative, and float controlled means to actuate said electrically operated means to effect connection of said first conduit to said atomizing means or said ejector depending on the water level in said receptacle.

9. A humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, a receptacle below said mean to collect unabsorbed water, a conduit rising from said receptacle thence traveling horizontally and finally downward to a discharge point below the level of said receptacle thus forming a siphon, means located in said conduit to evacuate'air therefrom and so establish a flow of water through the so-formed siphon, and control means sensitive to the level of the water in said receptacle for intermittently energizing said airevacuating means.

10. A humidifying apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein the control means sensitive to the level of the water in the receptacle causes the supply of water to the atomizing means to be turned off whilethe air evacuating means is energized.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, and a humiditysensitive device preventing the valve in said first branch conduit from opening when the humidity in the atmosphere is above a predetermined point.

12. Humidifying apparatus comprising water atomizing means located in the atmosphere to be humidified, valve controlled means to deliver water under pressure to said atomizing means, a receptacle to collect unabsorbed water, a water operated ejector having a suction chamber, a siphon-forming conduit extending upward from near the bottom of said receptacle'and terminating in th suction chamber of said elector, and means'to deliver water under pressure to said "ejector.

GEORGE W. WEEDEN. 

